RECEPTION

DOES THE TIME START FROM WHEN THE FIRST GUEST ARRIVES, OR FROM THE TIME WE DESIGNATE? (I ASK THIS BECAUSE GUESTS WILL BE TRAVELLING FROM THE CEREMONY, SO TRAVELLING TIMES MAY VARY. WE WOULD LIKE A 6PM START, HOWEVER IF PEOPLE ARRIVE AT 5.45, IS THIS AN ISSUE? WILL THEY HAVE TO REMAIN OUTSIDE?)

Reception start time is designated by you. If a number of your guests arrive at 5.45pm we’ll greet and show them to the balcony or they can enjoy the gardens. Whereupon we can do either of two things; open a credit card bar tab or you can have guests pay cash for their own drinks till the reception start. The best way to avoid guests waiting at the front door is to include the reception start time on your invitations and maybe also to include a suggested route to Allegro. On the other hand you’ll find, if you have too big a gap between the ceremony finish and reception guests will want to go to the pub or club to fill in time, this is not a good idea.

HOW LONG DO PRE-DINNER DRINKS/CANAPES LAST?

Usually 40 minutes on balcony, after 21 years of functions at Allegro we’ve learnt this is about the ideal amount of time to allow late guests to arrive still in time for the bridal party introductions.

WHEN DO THE BRIDE AND GROOM USUALLY ARRIVE? (WE WERE THINKING OF ARRIVING AT 5.30, HAVING SOME PHOTOS IN THE GARDEN AND ENTERING AT 6.45PM). WHEN WE ENTER, ARE THE GUESTS SEATED OR WILL THEY STILL BE OUTSIDE?

It takes about 15 minutes or so to move the guests to their tables and have drinks poured and ready for your big introduction. We usually have the bride and groom in the bridal room, adjacent to the foyer as guests are being seated, while this is happening, as MC I’ll run through the events of the evening so you know exactly what's going on. I’ll check things like correct couple's, correct names, correct pronunciation, order of introductions and give you and your attendants directions for a smooth entry and transition to the bridal table.

WE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND THE PACKAGE TO 5½ HOURS. DO YOU HAVE A TIMING OR SCHEDULING SHEET OR COULD YOU PROVIDE ME WITH AN INDICATION OF HOW THE EVENING USUALLY PROCEEDS?

Your evening reception timetable would look something like this

6.00-6.40

pre dinner drinks and canapes start on balcony

6.40-6.55

guests enter dining room and seated at their tables, drinks are poured, hot bread rolls on the tables and guests now ready for your entrance

IF THE RECEPTION STARTS AT 6PM, IS IT REASONABLE FOR THE BRIDE AND GROOM TO LEAVE AT 10.45PM, AND TO EXPECT ALL GUESTS TO LEAVE BY 11PM, SO THAT WE ARE WITHIN OUR PACKAGE TIME?

If your package finishes at 11pm, that is when we plan to have you walking out the front door to your getaway car. Half the guests will depart straight away after you leave, the rest will come and gather their belongings and say their goodbyes over the next 10-15 minutes.

WHEN DO WE MEET WITH YOU TO SORT OUT DETAILS, MENUS, NUMBERS ETC?

About 6 months before your reception we'll send a progress update, in it you'll receive a seating floor plan, music selection sheet and the order of events sheet for you to fill in We'll ask you to book an appointment with us 6 weeks before your wedding day to finalise your menu selections, beverage package, colours/style of sashes, order of events and also go through your music selections etc..

DO WE NEED TO PROVIDE A SEATING INFORMATION SHEET FOR DISPLAY SO THAT GUESTS REFER TO IT IN ORDER TO FIND THEIR TABLES?

It's not necessary to have a table plan, however we want two alphabetical guest lists, one for display at the front door and the other for us to greet guests and advise them which table they’ll be seated at.

WHAT IS YOUR MAXIMUM CAPACITY?

Maximum capacity is 200 guests seated, 300 guests cocktail style

WHO WILL BE WORKING AT MY RECEPTION? WHAT WILL THEY BE WEARING?

Either Glenn or Kay Torta, the proprietors of Allegro, will be supervising the dining room and bar staff at your wedding reception. We have one waiter on hand per 25 guests plus 2-3 bar staff. Our servers wear black pants, black shoes, black polo shirts and black full length bistro aprons at all wedding receptions.

WHERE IS THE FOOD PREPARED?

All appetisers, entrées, mains, desserts and after-dinner petit fours are all prepared in our extensive kitchen at Allegro. The dynamic team led by Executive Chef David Camwell [13+yrs service] at your service will happily customize a menu most appropriate for your reception.

DOES ALLEGRO DO OUTDOOR RECEPTIONS?

One of the greatest features of Allegro is its blend of outdoor and indoor services. Our gardens and grounds are perfect for outdoor wedding ceremonies. Certainly there is nothing more elegant than serving cocktails or wines and hors d'oeuvres to your guests, as they gather on the balcony after you've exchanged your vows in the gazebo, or upon their arrival at Allegro from your church ceremony. Allegro does not serve dinners outside. All dinners, buffet or full service, are served in the dining room.

ARE OUTSIDE CATERING SERVICES PERMITTED AT ALLEGRO?

This is possible through a different pricing structure. ‘Venue hire’ and staff services prices are available on request. All beverages must also be supplied through Allegro.

CAN I RESERVE ALLEGRO IF I HAVE FEWER GUESTS THAN THE REQUIRED “MINIMUM NUMBER"?

Yes. The “Minimum number” does not require that you have that number of persons in actual attendance at your wedding. You are however, required to pay a room hire fee for the number of persons less than the “Minimum number”. For example, if you reserve a Sunday Daytime, the “Guaranteed Minimum” is 70 guests. If your actual guest count in attendance is only 62, you will be charged a room hire fee equivalent to 50% of the difference between the actual and the minimum number of guests in attendance [8 guests in this example]. In this case the room hire fee is equivalent to 4 guests at the standard banquet price.

WHEN DO I NEED TO PROVIDE A FINAL HEAD COUNT?

The final head count is required 14 days before your confirmed date.

DO YOU SPECIALISE IN A PARTICULAR TYPE OF FOOD?

We pride ourselves on our flexibility. Many of our menu items are influenced by our Italian heritage and over 50 years experience in the food business. But we have been known to provide everything from Sushi to Soul Food to Vietnamese.

DOES ALLEGRO HAVE A CAKE CUTTING FEE?

Allegro wedding package fee includes cutting and arranging of the cake onto platters for the coffee table. If you choose to have your cake individually plated, there is a charge of $3 per person.

DOES ALLEGRO OFFER OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATION?

Allegro does not offer overnight accommodation. We are happy to recommend several fine hotels which are close by for you and your guests.

CAN YOU DO KOSHER FOOD?

CAN ALLEGRO FUNCTIONS BE EXTENDED?

Receptions can range in duration from 4 hours to 7 hours. All daytime weddings must be finished by 4pm. Evening receptions finished by 11pm. We can only extend receptions up to midnight. To extend, the charge is $6 per person, per each additional half hour.

CAN YOU PROVIDE SPECIAL DIETARY MEALS FOR GUESTS?

All of our meals are prepared in-house which allows us to cater for all special dietary needs. These include vegetarian, vegan, coeliac and lactose-free options.

DO YOU OFFER DISCOUNTS DURING CERTAIN TIMES OF THE YEAR?

Yes the low season is the time to save money on your reception, June July and August have a 15% saving on high season prices.

CAN I BRING MY OWN CAKE?

Yes because wedding cakes are not included in our package price. We can recommend a number of beautiful cake makers that can provide any design you want. Your imagination and budget being the only limitation.

CAN I USE CANDLES? CAN I USE ‘SPRINKLES’ ON MY TABLES?

Tea Lights are allowed provided they are in an enclosed container. No sprinkles please, $200 cleaning fee to be added to your account if they are to be used.

IS THERE AMPLE PARKING?

Allegro has ample free off-street parking for up to 70 vehicles and an excess of parking spaces available roadside.

DO YOU OFFER CHILDREN'S MEALS?

Special children's meals are available at a reduced cost. Crumbed Chicken tenderlions with chips and ice cream and lollies are the most popular choice, or we can substitute one dessert off your menu. Children U/13 yrs old are half standard price and for children U/3 yrs of age there is no charge.

WHAT IS THE PRICE OF VENDOR MEALS?

It is customary to provide a meal for photographers etc..Allegro can supply a meal and drinks package for your hired help [photographers, videographers and any assistants]. If seated separately from guests, the cost is half the adult package price. If seated with guests; full price.

WHAT TIME SHOULD I ARRANGE FOR THE GETAWAY HIRE CAR TO ARRIVE AT ALLEGRO?

You should tell them to arrive at Allegro at least 15 minutes before your reception finishes. That way they can get lost or a flat tyre and arrive with enough time to load your wedding-night/honeymoon luggage and still be ready to go before you exit the front door.